Lee Jobe, Career Telecom Exec, Dies

O. Lee Jobe III, age 52, passed away this week in his hometown of Kansas City, Mo., following a three-year battle with liver disease.

Jobe had a storied career in the world of telecom, spending 25 years in key executive positions among a handful of high-visibility companies. Jobe served as president and COO at Cellport Systems in Boulder; president of Global Operations at Level 3 Communications; president of Network and Systems for Concert, a British Telecom/ATT Global Venture; and president of Citizen Communications.

“My brother was a leader from the time he was born,” said Mark Jobe, Lee’s only surviving family member. “I wasn’t surprised by his fast-paced rise in the telecom world. It was an industry he really loved, and his leadership made a big impact.”

Prior to those executive positions, Jobe held the rank of vice president of Business Operations for Pacific Bell, and director of Business Operations for Sprint.

He held a B.A. and M.A. in economics from the University of Missouri in Kansas City and attended the Senior Executive Program at MIT.

Jobe leaves behind his brother Mark, also of Kansas City, several nieces and nephews, and his two beloved dogs.